University of Evansville's Head Coach Marty Simmons talks with his team during a timeout as Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Evansville defeated Southern Illinois 75-42. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Duane Gibson (25) poses with his family and University of Evansville's Head Coach Marty Simmons before Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Evansville defeated Southern Illinois 75-42. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Head Coach Marty Simmons yells at his players during a timeout as Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Evansville defeated Southern Illinois 75-42. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

Seniors University of Evansville's Blake Simmons (50), University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) and University of Evansville's Duane Gibson (25) walk off the court together for their last home game to a standing ovation as Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) is surrounded by his team before he proposes to his girlfriend Marly Solano during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) proposes to his girlfriend Marly Solano during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) proposes to his girlfriend Marly Solano during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) proposes to his girlfriend Marly Solano during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) hugs his teammates while his new fiancé Marly Solano checks out her new ring after Traore proposed after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Evansville defeated Southern Illinois 75-42. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) hugs his new fiancé Marly Solano after proposing during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS

Anything that could go right went right on Saturday afternoon for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team. It couldn’t have scripted senior day any better against Southern Illinois in the final game of the regular season. The Purple Aces demolished the visiting Salukis, winning 75-44 at Ford Center in the final career home game of their three seniors.

“We asked the team this week for this last game to dedicate all their effort to the seniors,” UE head coach Marty Simmons said. “I guess we should’ve asked them that a little bit sooner.”

It snapped a four-game losing skid for UE, which concluded the regular season 17-14 and 7-11 in the Missouri Valley. Seeding for the conference tournament will be determined Sunday morning, but the Aces will play in the first round Thursday night in St. Louis, Missouri.

Junior guard Ryan Taylor netted 25 points to finish as the Valley’s leading scorer this season.

It marked the fifth straight year that UE has boasted the league’s scoring champ after Jaylon Brown won it last season and D.J. Balentine the previous three. Taylor shot 10 of 18 from the field, including 5 of 10 from beyond the 3-point arc. He has averaged 22.1 points in 24 games played.

Asked before the week of games began what he would like to see more of, Blake Simmons didn’t beat around the bush. The senior from Newburgh wanted to see more of Dru Smith and Duane “Boo” Gibson on the floor. He got his wish with both in the starting lineup and the result was picture perfect.

Those two, plus Taylor, Simmons and senior Dalen Traore started for UE. It's the same five as the season-opener and the first time they have all started since Nov. 21.

Buy Photo

Seniors University of Evansville's Blake Simmons (50), University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) and University of Evansville's Duane Gibson (25) walk off the court together for their last home game to a standing ovation as Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Photo: JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS)

“I think (Gibson) is probably feeling the best he has all year,” said Simmons, to which Gibson nodded. “When we get our full roster, I think we’re a really competitive team. I think we proved that today. Being able to get in some good practices headed into Arch Madness, and getting ready to go, I think there’s a lot of momentum on our side right now.”

Gibson scored the first four points of the game and Simmons the next five to set the tone. Simmons then called out a screen for Smith, who finished at the rim and sparked an 11-0 spurt and 17-3 extended run. Southern Illinois, which entered the game second in the MVC, was held scoreless for six minutes during that stretch as the Aces pulled away for good.

UE led 36-17 at halftime and never looked back. The Salukis (19-12, 11-7) were held to 31 percent shooting and were outscored 34-12 in the paint, 16-2 off turnovers, 13-4 off second-chance opportunities and 8-2 on the fast break.

The Aces played with upbeat energy all throughout, then afterward the mood was altered as the seniors gave their speeches in front of what remained of the 4,312 in attendance.

Dalen Traore went first and proposed to his girlfriend, Marly Solano, whom he met in Miami before coming to Evansville.

“I was scared,” he said. “I was scared all week. (My teammates) knew the whole time and they pushed me, encouraged me. The only thing I could do (in the game) was leave it all on the floor and think about her afterward.”

Buy Photo

University of Evansville's Dalen Traore (15) proposes to his girlfriend Marly Solano during his senior speech after Evansville took on Southern Illinois at the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Photo: JAKE CRANDALL / COURIER & PRESS)

Simmons’ speech was the most emotional. Finally, after choking back tears, he thanked his mother, Angie, who he called his favorite person in the world. Then, his “role model” in father Marty.

“He’s the person I’ve always striven to be like,” Blake said. “You’re Superman to me. The way you impact everybody’s lives, my life. Guys come in here as high-school boys and every time they leave as grown men who are able to succeed in this world. I just love how much you’ve been supportive. This has been probably the best five years of my life playing for you, grinding with you, arguing with you, talking back when I shouldn’t be. Not being back (on defense) or being in a stance. But, the reason I came here was because I wanted to play for the best coach in the country and I have.”